NOTES FROM N.W. YORKSHIRE. 133 



in the winter of 1880-81, when one was found in a trap on Low 

 Scollit in Arkengarth Dale. 



The Long-eared Owl, Asio otiis, is frequently observed, and, 

 as specimens have been killed in the months of April and May, 

 it is almost certain that it breeds with us. Two specimens of 

 the Short-eared Owl were obtained near Richmond in January, 

 1854 ; but it is far from common, and I have never heard of its 

 nesting with us, nor of its even being seen during the breeding- 

 season. The Tawny Owl, Syrtiium alaco, nests in limited numbers 

 throughout the district, with the exception of Arkengarth Dale, 

 where it has not been known as a breeding species for many 

 years past, only occurring there while on feeding expeditions to the 

 moors. Some time since a pair of Barn Owls were shot in the 

 trees at the back of the shooting-box at Ellerton, but they are not 

 often found so far above Richmond. 



The Great Grey Shrike, Lanius excuhitor, was obtained on 

 November 8th, 1865, near Whitchffe Scar ; and the Red-backed 

 Shrike, Lanius collurio, has been recorded as nesting near 

 Richmond. 



Spotted Flycatchers, Muscicapa grisola, are common summer 

 migrants, generally appearing in May and leaving either about 

 the end of August or beginning of September. Although the 

 Pied Flycatcher, Muscicapa atricapilla, is found in Wensleydale, 

 I have only one note of its occurrence in this district, a male 

 being shot on April 29th, 1858, near Reeth. 



The Dipper, Cinclus aquaticus, is very common, its favourite 

 haunts being the rocky gills and those parts of the larger streams 

 where a bank of rock rises sheer from the water. In winter and 

 early spring it is generaUy dispersed over those parts of the 

 district where there is water, and it is hard to say where one 

 may not come across a pair. 



The Missel Thrush, Song Thrush, and Blackbird are numerous, 

 especially the two former. The severe winters of 1879, 1880, 

 and 1881 greatly thinned the numbers of all three, but I am glad 

 to say that they are now as numerous as before. Fieldfares and 

 Redwings are winter visitors, but are not common in the higher 

 portions of the district, being found in greater abundance as 

 you approach Richmond. 



Ring Ouzels are common summer migrants, arriving towards 

 the end of March, when they may be found dispersed over those 



